I have a 1994 Dodge Ram 4X4 3/4 ton with a NV241 transfer case and an automatic transmission. I'll be towing my 35 foot Holiday Rambler up with me.
What recommendations would you guys suggest I do to make improvements to the truck to toughen it up a bit?

So far I have:
* swap out the Automatic gearbox for an NV5600 standard tranny and replace the NV 241DLD transfer case with the NV 241 DHD.
* New radiator installed.
* New Alternator going up in parts bin in truck.

Open to suggestions, Thx.

 

What about the camper? Those things are not made to take that abuse! Best take lots of screws and scraps of lumber as well as extra bearings and may be a spring. I bet the camper will be shot after that trip.

 

Good point- I'd pay a lot of attention to the camper.
How many miles on the truck- brakes and wheel bearings, ball joints, general front end, u-joints. Have you done the KDP yet? Definitely do that if you haven't. Aftermarket fuel filtration? Check the spare tire? On board air compressor? A really good jack?

 

Forgot to mention that I have the KDP kit, just haven't done it yet! I'll bring plenty of wheel bearings along for the Travel Trailer. It is an alumaframe Holiday Rambler, pretty tough. Tougher than most. Good point about plenty of spare tires and parts! I'll bring along a complete backing plate and brake assembly too for the Holiday Rambler.

As for the Dodge I think I should at least swap out the NV241DLD for the NV241DHD. It should be a straight swap so I've been told. The ALCAN now is mostly paved all the way up. Good set of tools should be packed into the equation as well!

On Board air compressor, check! Truck has 175,000 miles on it. Never thought about aftermarket fuel filtration. Suggestions?

 

I went half way up the Alcan a couple years ago and found it to be in excellent shape compared to years ago.
They're keeping it well graded but gravel flying off your rear tires can do a real number on your trailer.
Suggest the type of mud flap that goes all the way across the rear bumper.
They're usually made out of brushes.

 

Another good suggestion, thanks!

 

Be prepared to go slow the hundred miles before and after the Alaska border.

If you look real close, there is a paved road between the frost heaves on the Canadian side (drive slow ~25). After the border, the road is the gravel type that is generally flat but it can throw all kind of stuff from your tires to the trailer or from on coming trucks to your windshield.

I would suggest stopping in Destruction Bay or Burwash Landing, do the 200 miles to Tok and call it a day. Your nerves and shocks will thank you for it

 

When you headed up? Headed from? I am leaving this week and live up near Delta...Get the Mile Post (Must Have) you can order a copy online...If you don't know the road you will want a copy...Road is great so far, construction will be heavy soon...Like said above Destruction Bay north is nasty...Slow Down...Also you will need passports and papers for pets

 

We are not planning to go up before Next Spring unless we come into money we are not expecting like scratcher ticket lottery money! We are short selling our home in Arizona and do not want to start over here.

 

Sounds like you have the truck and trailer covered. Don't worry about the road, as stated before it is much better than it used to be. Just take your time and watch out for idiots.

 

I would bring a spare lift pump mine failed and the truck came to a stop. might want to take a track bar and unit bearings also. What part of Alaska are you going to? I lived up there growing up. You also want a bug deflector to try and skip the rocks past your windshield and some rock guards for your headlights. There is always rock on the roads

 

We're planning to locate in the Palmer/Willow/Wasilla area. I didn't think about the lift pump either! I am considering an aftermarket fuel filtration system like a Racor diesel fuel filter with a water alarm that you can drain the water out through a valve on the bottom.

 

+1 to that.

Animals on the road and frost heaves were the worst for us, drove it in January.

 

If you still have your stock water pump, you'll want to pick up a new one.

There's really not much to it, just do the common sense things like servicing the truck first, make sure tires (including spares) and brakes are in good shape, and maybe carry one or two fuel cans. I don't know if you'll be coming up the Cassiar from Washington, but if so you should be aware that lots of the fuel stations shut down for the winter and may still be shut down when you take the trip.

 

I just got back from Whitehorse, YT I don't know which way you would take but I will never run Hwy 37 in BC again. I took this way on the return trip after dropping a new RV at a dealer, sure it was has some nice views but took forever to make the 994.10 miles from Whitehorse to Prince George.

P.S. Take a lot of fuel it's $5.56.0 for diesel in Whitehorse